I may not be an expert but for one thing i would try using cd-rw. I have not found an xbox that does not read them. I tryed to softmod my xbox but i couldent because I was using cd-r and dvd-r and the xbox would not read them. I have just recently ordered a mod chip and I am going to put emulaters on it so if I come up with a solution I will let you know.

to play surreal or any other roms from the dvd you need to make the roms into an xiso with the emulator default xbe in it. you can use craxtion to make the xiso you could put the roms onto the harddrive in the emulator folder and they can be played in the zip format direct from the hd. the xbox dvd drive will recognize cdrw, dvd+-r, and dvd-rw. it's hit or miss but as long as you use the xbox file system it shouldn't be that hard to get the right combination.

to play surreal or any other roms from the dvd you need to make the roms into an xiso with the emulator default xbe in it. you can use craxtion to make the xiso you could put the roms onto the harddrive in the emulator folder and they can be played in the zip format direct from the hd. the xbox dvd drive will recognize cdrw, dvd+-r, and dvd-rw. it's hit or miss but as long as you use the xbox file system it shouldn't be that hard to get the right combination.

It may be a stupid question, but i am new with playing n64 games on xbox.
What is an XBE file? Is it included when i download n64 roms? or do i need to make an XBE file? if so, how do i make an XBE file?